This car is an Alfa Romeo 8C with a 2.3L straight-eight blown engine, chassis no 2311204 - Registration is FGC 409. Originally painted red, it was refinished in Pale Blue with red wheels by Leslie Hawthorn.

The car was sold in 1938 by Pierre-Louis Dreyfus who had finished second at the 1935 Le Mans race in the car. It the went in the UK to Monza Service (Cyril Hawley and Buddy Featherstonehaugh). Then Russell-Roberts bought it and had it registered FGC409 - he then returned it to Hawley.

It was then purchased by Mike's father, Leslie, after he found it lying in a shed in Kent and was eventually used by Mike through the early to late 1950s.

The images above come from a film made in 1952 covering the Tourist Trophy Garage in Farnham that Mike owned with his Father.

A distance view of the forecourt with Mike's Alfa Romeo 8C.

And a close up of the Alfa Romeo 8C engine

Ted Papsch tends to Mike's Alfa Romeo 8C outside the Tourist Trophy Garage. This photo was prob taken in 1957 or later. The car is on temporary Trade Plates



Another of Ted Papsch with Mike's Alfa Romeo 8C.

Mike Hawthorn's family loaned the car to the Montagu Museum at Beaulieu for a long time. It was restored and sold several times in the 90s, firstly to Mexican Carlos Hank and then to Arturo Keller.

Here is an image of it in action during the 1990s...


Its current whereabouts are unknown.